Initiatives

Overview

The financial crisis and its economic aftershocks have spawned the first serious examination of the structure of our current banking system and the public policies that have fueled consolidation over the last 30 years and untethered financial institutions from their communities.

Overview

Access to the Internet is an essential infrastructure for any community that cares about economic development, quality of life, and educational opportunities. Unfortunately, most communities are presently dependent on a few unaccountable absentee corporations that act as gatekeepers to...

Overview

Wind and sun are available everywhere, so renewable energy can be economically harnessed at small scales across the country. This nature of renewable energy, and the exponential increase of renewable energy generation, promises to decentralize the nation’s grid system. ...

Overview

Over the last 25 years, a handful of giant companies have grown to dominate the U.S. economy. ILSR challenges the wisdom of this market concentration. Through research and analysis, we have built a compelling case that places that are home to...

Overview

At the founding of the American Republic the word “private” had pejorative connotations. Derived from the Latin word “privare”, private meant to divide or tear apart. A privateer was a pirate. The word “public” was an honorable adjective, often...

Overview

ILSR's Waste to Wealth program helps communities across the country create policies and practices that address citizens' environmental concerns and economic needs. We help citizens fight the incinerators and landfills that pollute their air and water, and drive property...

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The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://ilsr.org/small-iowa-town-telecom-utility/

Waverly, a town of 10,000 in Iowa, decided to create a city owned telecommunications utility with a successful referendum vote in 2000 but has only recently decided to move forward with a major investment to offer services. Mike Litterer, Interim General Manager of Waverly Light and Power, joins us to discuss the project. Following the… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/rockbridge-area-network-authority-close-launch-virginia

The Rockbridge Area Network Authority (RANA) is almost ready to launch its open access network in north central Virginia, home to about 22,000 people. A recipient of the BTOP stimulus program, the main focus is connecting community anchor institutions and spurring economic development. However, it has been built to allow service providers to also offer… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://ilsr.org/localist-policy-agenda/

To regenerate local businesses, we’ll need more than Buy Local campaigns; we’ll need to change public policy, which now favors big business. In this presentation, Stacy Mitchell looks at seven key policy areas to focus on. Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/muni-network-debate-charlotte-observer

In a recent op ed in the Charlotte Observer, Christopher Mitchell delves into why North Carolina ranks last in per capita subscribers to a broadband connection. The state, through its legislature, is held hostage by large providers such as Time Warner, CenturyLink, and AT&T. David Hoyle, a retired Senator who admitted pushing bills written by Time… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/celebrate-our-independence-day-lets-reclaim-our-independence

On the day that celebrates our Independence as a nation, I encourage you to consider how we can declare independence as a people from the corruption of our nation, specifically the corruption of a few very powerful people and corporations of our republic. Larry Lessig offers a perspective below in a popular TED Talk. This… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/evanston-illinois-dabble-community-owned-connectivity

Evanston, Illinois, home to Northwestern University, has decided to expand its fiber network in a new project to connect residents and businesses in a targeted area. In 2012, the city and NU joined forces to apply for an Illinois Gigabit Community grant and the pair won the award this past January. Together, the entities won… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/consultant-argues-never-used-financing-mechanism-also-wont-work-palo-alto

I was troubled to see Broadband Communities publish an odd and misleading story about Palo Alto in the May-June issue [pdf]. Authored by Stephen Blum of Tellus Venture Associates, a consultant that has been hired by Palo Alto in the past, it showed a remarkable level of ignorance about community owned fiber networks and broadband… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/waverly-waits-13-years-build-fiber-network-community-broadband-bits-episode-53

Waverly, a town of 10,000 in Iowa, decided to create a city owned telecommunications utility with a successful referendum vote in 2000 but has only recently decided to move forward with a major investment to offer services. Mike Litterer, Interim General Manager of Waverly Light and Power, joins us to discuss the project. Following the… Continue reading

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/knoxville-downtown-wondering-where-all-broadband

Knoxville Metro Pulse reporter Paige Hunton published a story last month about a common complaint from downtown residents and businesses – “Downtown Knoxville’s Internet Access Kinda Sucks. Can It Be Fixed?” The problem worked its way from local talk to twitter and city leaders have met with residents and business owners to publicly discuss options. This… Continue reading